Gateway In the Community
Our Community Engagement and Support Officers are out and about in your areas speaking with tenants, partners and local organisations and developing ways in which they can improve the community. Hear direct from Tasha, Kelly and Sharon in their first monthly update to tenants.
Tasha Cowperthwaite – Brookfield, North Ribbleton, Moor Nook
Over recent weeks I have introduced myself to local partners and stakeholders to make connections and look at ways we can do some collaborative working in the future. The initial conversations are to establish what support the area needs and wants; so I welcome the chance to speak with any local tenants and residents. Keep a look out for drop in sessions in the coming weeks.
Initial conversations with partners are underway to look at how we can support the facilities around Grange Primary School, Allotments and Grange Community Gardens. I am really eager to engage with tenants and residents in the area to find out from them what they think our priorities should be.
I have been supporting Ray of Sunshine CIC to apply for funding and build a timetable of activities for young people over the coming year. All activities are delivered from Sion Park Community Hub with the provision being for Young People across the whole of the Ribbleton area.
Sion Park Community Hub faced a period of closure following a break in back in November 19; fortunately the activities were able to recommence from February 20. We currently have 8 different groups access the facilities, meaning The Hub is currently open 5 days a week.
Some great links have been made on Moor Nook with partners who work in the area and have high levels of engagement with local people. I hope to support these partners and work collaboratively to best support Moor Nook and its community.
2 drop in sessions has taken place at Moor Nook Central and has attracted tenants and residents who wanted to engage with us across a variety of topics. I have specifically chosen the times to be flexible for all to attend as we know everyone has busy lives to keep up with. The next 2 take place on Wednesday 18th 1-3pm & Saturday 28th March 11am-3pm. I welcome all residents in the Moor Nook area to drop in and chat to us about anything… even if you just come for a brew and some refreshments.
Moor Nook Allotments have seen some interest in the last week with local people wanting to develop them together and involve young people. I have arranged a meet on Monday 23rd March at 9:30am at the allotments if anyone would like to stop by, have a look and see how you can get involved.
Kelly Garrett – City Centre, Ashton, Ingol
I’ve been spending my time meeting different organisations/charities/partners within the community and introducing myself. Some of the people I’ve met include Lancashire Women, Disability Equality North West and Let’s Grow Preston. My time out and about in the community has given me the opportunity to learn more about what services are already on offer and also about some of the challenges within the Preston area.
All of the Community Engagement and Support Officers went to a great event put on by Our Lancashire where we met lots of other groups in the community and had the opportunity to network and learn about what they have to offer.
With regards to specific areas, a few projects/initiatives are starting within the Ingol area and I’ve had the opportunity to be included in these initial meetings (watch this space!).
Sharon Grimshaw – Fishwick, South Ribbleton, St Matthew’s, Deepdale
I’ve spent the last few weeks getting familiar with my areas, making introductions and having meetings with partners and community organisations. I’ve attended community meetings with FOFS (Friends of Fishwick and St Matthews) and RAFT (Residents of Fishwick and Thirlmere). I’ve visited Sahara which is a voluntary women’s organisation based in the Fishwick area of Preston, getting an overview of the services they provide. This has all been a great way of making introductions, finding out about the needs of the community and looking at ways Community Gateway can work in partnership and provide support to our communities.
I am currently working with the Eden Project and other partners on The Big Lunch which is a national event bringing communities and neighbours together to share food, friendship and fun. Three events will be held in our communities on Sat 6th June and more information will follow soon.
I am also working with Shape Lancashire on two health and well being programmes. The first one which is funded by Community Gateway is for over 50’s with 6 sessions bi-weekly including a health walk, cook and eat session and a minibus trip. There is an initial welcome session on Thurs 2nd April 11am-1pm at Sion Park community hub. There will also be a second social activity rolling programme which is lottery funded, focusing on the Deepdale and Fishwick areas of Preston.